Means for fumigating and disinfecting articles



Aug. 4, 1931. N. SPANEL MEANS FOR FUMIGATING AND DISINFECTING ARTICLES Filed Aug. 31, 1928 ABRAHAM IN. BPANEL, 01 ROCHESTER; NEW YORK arms r03. rumcwrme -mb msmrzc'rme narrows Application filed August :1, 1928. Serial No. 308,188.

My invention relates in general to means for fumigating, disinfecting, and mothproofing, and 1n particular to such means whereby the objects treated are subjected to a a liquid insecticide which is atomlzed and sprayed into a substantiallyclosed container. The principal object of my invention has been to provide an apparatus whereby objects ma be thoroughly and efliciently fumi- -1o gated, isinfected, and moth-proofed in a very convenient manner and in a comparatively short time and with safety to the operator.

Another object has been to provide an ap- 16 paratus having a substantially closed container in which the objects to be treated may be conveniently placed and in which they may be subjected to the spray or vapors of an lnsecticide, the container so confinmg the spray or vapors that substantially the maximum efiicacy is derived from the treatment from a iven amount of chemical used.

Anotfier object has been to provide a container which shall be collapsible, and by 'rea- .25 son of which the entire contents of the container may be thoroughly sprayed.

Furthermore, my device is so designed that the treated articles contained therein shall be protected against the entrance of insects,

30 soot, or dust.

The above objects and advantages have been accomplished by the devices shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawmgs:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my complete device.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional elevation of a device similar to that shown in Fig. 1, but having slight modifications.

, Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that my device comprises in general a container 10; a spraying or atomizing device 11, to be used in connection therewith; and a pressure producing device 12, such, for instance, asa vacuum type, which is connected to the spraying device and provides the air pressure therefor.

The container 10 of my device is preferably rectangular in shape and is made from any 50 suitable fabric, such, for instance, as cretonne cleaner of the household or rubberized material; from paper; or from leather and the like. The container is pro vided with side walls 15, 16, 17 and 18, and with a top 19 and bottom 20. Suitable supporting means are provided for the container and comprise preferabl a wire frame 21, of a shape substantially t e same as the crosssectional shape of the container.

A cross member 22, having a groove 23 in each its ends for the reception of the wire frame 21, is engaged with the frame and has a screw-eye24 assed through the top 19 of the container and secured thereto. A hook 25 engages with the screw-eye 24 whereby the container may be conveniently. suspended from any suitable support. A arment hanger support 26 is carried by t e cross member 22, and serves to support a number of garment hangers 27. The cross member 22 is arranged so as to extend across the narrower span of the frame 21, whereby the garment hangers 27 carried by the sup ort 26 will be disposed in-planes substantia 1y parallel with the wider sides 17 and 18 of thecontainer. A false bottom 28 is arranged at the lower end of the container and rests upon the bottom 20 thereof. This is preferably made of thin material which may be rigid or semi-rigid, wherby objects which may be placed thereon may be properly supported.

The container is provided, preferably in one of its narrow sides 15 or 16 with an opening 30 which for convenience of illustration is shown in the side 15. This opening extends from the upper part of the container preferably to a point midway its length and is for the purpose of inserting objects into the container. This opening may be closed by any suitable and convenient means, but I have found the most convenient means to be the well known hookless fastener 31' having the usual slider 32.

This hookless fastener is so arranged that the slider is substantially at the lower end of the opening when it is closed, although, if desired, the fastener may be positioned in the opposite manner.

Arranged at some convenient point in the container is an opening which is to be used -in connection with the spraying device 11.

articles.

This opening is preferably surrounded by a flange 36 on the outside of the container and a flange 37 on the ins de thereof. These flanges are held together and to the material of the container by any suitable means, such as rivets or screws. The flange 36 may be provided with a cover 38 which is pivoted near the bottom of the flange and which may be swung up into position to close the opening 35, if desired, when the spraying device is removed therefrom. The opening is preferably placed in either of the narrow sides of the container and for convenience is shown in the side 15. In this position the atomizing device may be so manipulated as to direct the spray coming therefrom toward and between the garments or other articles suspended in the container and thus more effectively reach all surfaces of such As shown, it is most effective where but one opening is employd to provide the opening 15 at a point substantially midway the length of the container. From this point the spraying device mav. because of the flexibility of the container, be directed upwardly and downwardly so as to reach the portions of the articles disposed in the upper and lower parts of the container. It may likewise be turned sidewise so as to reach all of the garments suspended within the container.

The atomizing device 11 consists in the well known type of atomizer which comprises a chemical receptacle 40 in which the insecticide is placed. A screw-threaded cover 41 fits onto the receptacle, and the cover carries an air tube 42. This air tube has an air nozzle 43 arranged at its forward end and it is preferably in axial alignment with a spray tube 44 arranged in interspaced relation therewith, and also carried by the cover 41. The spray tube 44 is the part of the spraying device which engages with the opening 35 of the container, preferably by friction means, and it is of such a length that it may be conveniently extended into the container. lVhile I have shown this spray tube as being relativelyshort, it is obvious that it may be made of any desired length and may even be long enough to extend substantially to the opposite side 16 of the container, whereby the atomized insecticide may be positively carried in between the garments suspended within the container. The atomizing device is provided with the customary atomizing nozzle 45 which is located in the path of the air coming from the nozzle 43, and is, therefore, preferably on a line with the axis of the air tube 42 of the spray nozzle 43. This atomizing nozzle is carried by an atomizing tube 46, which as is customary extends to the bottom of the chemical receptacle 40. The atomizing device may be provided with a handle 47 which may be carried by the air tube 42.

As hereinbefore pointed out, some suitable pressure device must be employed to atomize the insecticide used in the atomizing device, and I have found it very convenient to use a household vacuum cleaner shown in the drawings at 12. Attached to the ressure connector 50 of the vacuum cleaner is a hose 51. This hose may be, if desired, the customary attachment hose supplied with the vacuum cleaner. The upper end of the hose is attached to the air tube 42 of the atomizing device.

In Fig. 2, I show substantially the same device as that shown in Fig. 1, but in addition to the showing of Fig. 1, I have provided the wall 16 of this device with a number of openings 52, 53 and 54. These openings are spaced throughout the length of the container; and the opening 52 is arranged near the top thereof, the opening 54 near the bottom thereof, while the opening 53 is arranged at a point preferably intermediate the length of the container. ltach of these openings is surrounded by an inner flange 55 and an outer flange 56, secured together and to the material of the container by any means such as screws or rivets. Each of the openings is closed by means of a pivoted cover 57, whereby it is necessary to expose but one of the opeaiings when the spraying device is being use When using my apparatus, the slider 32 of the hookless fastener 31 is so manipulated as to open the container 10 whereby garments or other objects to be treated may be inserted therein through the opening. As hereinbefore pointed out, such articles are preferably suspended upon hangers 27 which are supported in the upper part of the container. After all the articles to be treated are inserted within the container, the opening 30 thereof is closed by means of the hookless fastener 31. The cover 38 of the opening 35, if previously closed, is moved to its open position, and the spray tube 44 of the atomizing device 11 inserted in the opening. The chemical receptacle 40 of the spraying device having been supplied with the desired insecticide, the hose 51 is attached to the pressure connector 50 of the vacuum cleaner and the air tube 42 of the atomizing device The vacuum cleaner is now started and the air flow pro duced thereby asses through the hose 51 and is forced out t rough the nozzle 43 carried by the air tube 42. The air as it is projected from the nozzle 43 at rapid velocity passes over the atomizing nozzle 45, and, in the well known manner, draws through this atomizingv nozzle some of the insecticide which is picked up by the stream of air and carried with it in finely divided form through the spray tube 44 into the interior of the container. As hereinbefore pointed out, due to the flexibility of the container, the atomizing device may be moved in various directions so as to cause the stream of vapor or spray ladden air to be ably used brought into contact with all portions of the container and, therefore, all portions of the articles contained therein. After the treatment is completed, the vacuum cleaner is shut off and the hose preferably disconnected from the atomizing device. The garments or other articles having been thus treated may be left in stora e in the container if desired. When the artic es are to be stored in the container, the spraying device may be removed from the opening and the pivoted cover 38 used to close the opening, whereby the vapors of the insecticide will be retained within the container; and, when the treatment has been for moth-proofing, the treated articles will remain in such moth-proofed condition for a long time. If it is desired to allow the spraying device to remain attached to the container, a suitable plug or cork (not shown) may be placed in the outer end of the spray tube 44 and the opening 35 thus closed. If desired, a pivoted cover (not shown) like the cover 38 may be arranged at the outer end of the tube 44 for closing the same.

When the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is used, the openings 52, 53 and 54 are preferin succession by opening the pivoted cover 56 of each when it is to be used and inserting the spray tube 44 of the atomizing device. Just as soon as the treatment is completed through one of the openings, the atomizing device is removed, the cover of that opening closed, and the cover of another opening moved to its open position and the atomizing device used in that opening, until as many openings have been used as is deemed wise to thoroughly and efficiently treat the articles.

While I have described my apparatus for the treatment of garments, it isobvious that other articles, such as blankets, woolens, pillows, fabrics, and the like, may be treated with equal efliciency. It is, however, preferable when treating such objects to suspend them either from the hangers or other suitable supgorting means so that the atomized insectici e may reach all parts of such object s.- However, it will be understood that where such objects can not be suitably supported so as to hang loosely they may be placed in the bottom of the container and there treated with the insecticide. In the last case, however, the treatment will be just as efiect-ive, but will necessarily require a longer time for the fumes or vapors of the insecticide to reach all part of the articles.

While I have shown and described a household vacuum cleaner as the means for producin the air flow for the atomizing device, it is .c ear that it is within the scope of my invention to use an air pump in connection with the atomizing device, or if desired, a hand 0 erated atomizing device with an attache pump may be used.

These and other modifications of the deinfecting,

tails of the apparatus may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the S00 e of the a pended claims.

In the oregoing ecription, and in the appended claims, I refer to the container as eing collapsible, but it is understood that this term includes a flexible as well as a collapsible container.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. An apparatus for fumigating and disinfecting, comprising a closed flexible container having an opening through which articles to be treated may be inserted, a spraying device engaging a flexible wall of the container and adapted to be moved in various directions to spray an insecticide into the container, and means for supplying air under pressure to the spraying device to atomize the insecticide.

2. An apparatus for fumigating and disinfecting, comprising a closed flexible container having a container opening through which articles to be treated may be inserted, means for closing the container opening, the container also having a sprayer opening in one of the flexible walls of the container, a spraying device engageable with the sprayer opening and adapted to be moved in various directions to spray an insecticide into the container, and means for supplying air under pressure to the spraying device to atomize the insecticide.

3. In an apparatus for fumigating and disthe combination with air pressure means and an atomizing device, of a closed flexible container having a container opening through which articles to be treated maybe inserted, the container also havin a sprayer opening in a flexible wall thereof or enga ement with the atomizin device, whereby e atomizing device may e moved in various directions within the apparatus, and means for closing the container opening.

In testlmony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

ABRAHAM N. SPANEL. 

